Catholic bishops bless gay marriage rollback

The two bishops of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, in a letter to the faithful, say they will deploy parishes to collect signatures for Referendum 74, a measure for the November ballot designed to roll back same-sex marriage in Washington.

While asking that signatures not be collected on Easter Sunday, the bishops described the issue as “critically important” and said information on the signature drive is being sent to pastors throughout the Western Washington diocese.

Archbishop J. Peter Sartain

The letter is signed by Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo. Sartain testified against marriage equality at a Washington State Senate hearing earlier this year.

In their letter, the bishops specifically deny that refusing marriage to same-sex couples equates to discrimination — an argument made by Gov. Christine Gregoire, a Catholic, in arguing for marriage equality.

“Treating different things differently is not unjust discrimination,” the bishops claim. “Marriage can only be between a man and a woman because of its unique ends, purpose and place in society. The word ‘marriage’ isn’t simply a label that can be attached to different types of relationships.

“Instead ‘marriage’ reflects a deep reality — the reality of the unique, fruitful, lifelong union that is only possible between a man and a woman. There is nothing else like it, and it can’t be defined or made into something that it isn’t.”

State Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, a Catholic and long-partnered gay man who sponsored the same-sex marriage bill, described the bishops’ deployment of parishes to gather signatures as “fairly reprehensible.”

“To use church resources, in advancing a measure that promotes discrimination, is incredibly disappointing,” Murray said. “As a gay person, and a Catholic, I can understand their refusal to perform (gay) marriages. Using the church in promoting a referendum . . . is very disappointing.”

The bishops noted that, under the state’s domestic partnership law (which the Catholic Church lobbied against), same sex couples “already enjoy the rights and privileges of married couples.”

Anne Levison, a former judge and co-owner of the Seattle Storm, and leader in the marriage equality campaign, responded that the bishops’ letter is a case of clerical error.

“OF all institutions, the Church should understand why domestic partnerships can’t replace marriage,” said Levinson. “Marriage is so much more than a collection of legal rights. The essence of marriage remains the same whether the two people are straight or gay or lesbians: Two people affirming their love and commitment to each other.”

Opponents of same-sex marriage have until June 6 to collect just over 120,000 valid voter signatures to force a referendum.

The campaign may cause discomfort among lay Catholics.

Its main organizational driving force across the country is a group called the National Organization for Marriage. NOM internal memos were recently disclosed as part of litigation in Maine.

A NOM strategy memo spoke of the need to “drive a wedge” between gays and blacks, and to make opposition to same-sex marriage “an identity marker” for young Latinos.

The memo also listed, among its goals, “sideswiping Obama.”

The Archdiocese of Seattle started being outspoken on civil rights and open housing back in the 1960’s, and in the past decade has championed the cause of immigrant rights.

The marriage equality bill, signed by Gov. Gregoire in February, applies only to civil marriage. It does not require churches to marry couples or make church facilities available for same-sex unions.

Sartain and Elizondo argue, however, that more fundamental issues are at stake. “We believe that a redefinition of marriage is such a far-reaching and radical decision that it should not be left simply to a vote of legislators and signature of the governor,” they write.

Referendum 74 would make Washington one of at least four states to vote on marriage equality in the fall. A same-sex marriage referendum — pushed by proponents — has already qualified for the ballot in Maine. In Minnesota, opponents of marriage equality — aided by the Catholic Church — are pushing a measure that would define marriage as between a man and a woman.

In Washington and Maryland, efforts are underway to force a referendum on repealing marriage equality bills passed by legislators and signed into law.

Gregoire and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, both Catholics, pushed for approval of same-sex marriage. Another Catholic, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, spearheaded approval last year in the Empire State.

Washington is a state with fairly low church membership, and is about 16 percent Catholic.

Against church opposition, its voters approved legalized abortion in 1970, three years before the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling. Two decades later, Washington voters passed one of the nation’s most sweeping abortion rights measures.

The Church appears mobilized for this battle.

In its Q-and-A, the Catholic Conference does speak of the “inviolable dignity of each and every person” saying all people “must be treated with respect and dignity, free from all unjust discrimination.”

It does, however, take a dim view of sexual contact between those of the same sex:

“The Catechism of the Catholic Church does teach that homosexual ACTS are intrinsically disordered, not persons . . . In its reference to homosexual acts the Catechism of the Catholic Church denotes that these acts do not coincide with the order of nature for propagating life.”

Sartain and Elizondo, in asking support for Referendum 74 signature gathering, indicated that it will “assist” the faithful with letters and Q-and-A documents will be forthcoming:

“In the months and years ahead, we will make it a priority in the Archdiocese to share with you the fullness and beauty of our teaching. Catholic teaching cannot be reduced to a sound bit. Because it comes from God, it is for our good, and living according to the Church’s teaching brings us life, peace, fulfillment and hope.”

But Murray had a question for his bishop.

“Here in Olympia, I am watching Republicans press for a budget that takes money from the Disability Lifeline and the emergency food assistance program, yet there is no letter from Catholic bishops or the Catholic Conference stressing the importance of these programs,” he said.

“As I read the Gospels, there is a great deal of talk about the poor, and none about homosexuality.”